Rail fastening



June 19, 1945. J. R. sNYDER 2,378,590

RAIL FASTENING Filed March 3, 1943 A lullln teningembodying,myinvention;`

Eig. 2 is a. partial transverse .sectional viewY taken.- through thevsamerailvfastening ask indi- Patented June 19, -1,945

flu-NITE!) STATES PATENT OFFICE- l f I f v2,378,590.

c RAILFASTENI-NG. l l Jacob RushSnyder, Cleveland, Ohio applicati@ March. s, 1943, seriarNoAmvez claims. (o1. zas- 1349) L Thisainventionrelates to` fastenings for railway railsyand the likeand more. particualrly to irnproved-yrail ffastenings'of the kind embodyingA a resilient, clamp. v f

.Arlfobjeet of 1 the invention isto. provide an. improved' rail clamp of4 the resilient type which can be economically manufactured and readily applied to railway rails and lwhich is so"y constructed that it can be used with different forms of. tie.plates. l Y

v'Another objecty of theinvention isvto provideY an. improvedIra-il fastening of the character mentionedandin which the. resilient clamp has railan upstandingtransverse ribyl 6': providing la slfioulY der.: orabutment'facev IFI adapted to be; engaged by: a1 longitudinal edge-of thev rail flange Il. 'In addition.' to. the f opening) If2a, the; tiezplatel may also have a: pair of spacedf'open-ings I8 which extend through or interrupt the rib I6 at correspondingly spaced points, as. vshown' in Fig,v -l.- The openings I8- are provided in the tie plate =.I 2 to accommodate conventional. cut spikes in those cases'where 'it is desirable. to use cut spikesfin-y stead.. ofmy' resilientclamp- |44 in forming ai rail engagngglu-gsso formed*` and disposed that, they are'subjected v to compression and alford maxi-v mum. strength Vwith minimum deflection.

Afurther object of the' invention is-to provide anl improved rail fastening of the character -men. tioned.- andin which theresilient clamp has a spikefengaging portion adapted to. engage the spike at a point close to the surface of the ytie plateso'as to obtain the maximum .resistance of-thespiketdshear and bending. l

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent'` from the `following description fastening; The open'ings'al and lf-may fbefof any appropriate sizeand shape, and inv this vinstance-theopening 12a is shown as being round. and the-openings It'V as being substantially square. Asqshown in Figs. 1 and 2, the opening Iz2a islocated outwardlyof the openings I8fandsubstantially midway -therebetween, and the locationv ofthe-'openings Iissuch that the inner edge fof eaehopening lies just 'inwardly of the upright plane containing the abutmentfaceor shoulderA IJ.

Thelfastening memberV I5 may bey aspike. as mentioned above, and in thisfinstance is shown as being a screw spike having a helicallythreadwhen takenin conjunction'with the accompanyingv sheetof drawings, in Which Fig. 1 is a partialr plan view showing a rail fascatedlby line Z,-2of,1'ig. 1;

Fig.. 3 is a similarlpartial transverse sectional view. taken through the. clamp and tie plateto v illustrate-.the vapproximate 'extent of deflection ofltheclamp; i .f y

Fig. 4 is.ya.partial plan vievvo-f the clamp further illustrating, the. shape Of the spike-engaging mgl y.

Fig. 5 y'isfa partial planview similar to nig.V 1v

butl showing anotherl rail fastening` emlc'lodyingy p against,` the, tie'. l'late.A by means. of a clamp I4' and aheaded-iastening member or spike I`5 which extendsiintothef tie through an .opening I 4arof y the-clampandan opening I2a of the tie plate.

,Thetie plate l2,may be of conventional form,

comprising. asubstantially atmetal platehaving ed -portionlaand ahead I-5. The-upper portion of the head maybe of square or other polygonal vshape to facilitate turning` of. the; spikeyandthe lower face I9 ofl the-head formsv asurfaceor shoulder `forkengaging ythe clamp I4. vv The stem portion |50 connecting. the. head* |51)- andthe threaded stem. portion.v I5a vmay be a plain` or unthreaded cylindrical portion which extends freely through the opening I'Zaof thetieplate. and the opening Ida ofthe clamp. v

The clamp I 4. isofa novel constructionand cooperates in a novel mannerwiththe tie plate, railandspike, as willbe more apparent from the following detailed description. The clamp'corm prises aresilientplate-member.of a single thickness or ply which may be stamped or otherwiseformed from sheet metal or plate stock andv whichy may be suitably hardened or.- tempered. The clamp is ygenerally flat, v,as compared with rail clamps vof theY type havinga reversely bentl or angularly extending portion, kbut is. preferably of a, wavyy or'corrugated shape as shown inf the drawing. Onel of the corrugations of the. clamp forms an upwardly bowed intermediate section -20 through which thespikel extends andwhich is engaged by the head of the-spike. .Atits outer end the clamp` is provided.l with a substantiallyv v flat bearingv portion ZI. which rests. onthe tie plate l2. As can befseen. from thedrawing thev guishe'd from bending or shearing forces.

ing Iza and outwardly thereof and is engaged by the bearing portion 2I of the clamp is a substantially flat plain portion. The inner end 22 of the clamp is of relatively reduced width and lugs or sections 24 which are located on the rail side of the spike opening I4a and which extend in a direction away from such opening, that is to say, extend inwardly toward the rail I0. The lugs 24 may be formed by partially shearing corresponding portions of the clamp lying on opposite sides of the reduced end portion 22 and depressing or flattening such sheared portions so that the lugs will be substantially iiat and will extend substantially parallel with the surface of the tie plate I2 in the completed rail fastening. The lugs 24 are spaced or located to correspond with the openings I3 of the tie plate I2 x and are of -a width and length such that they exupstanding shoulder as shown in Figs. 5 and 6,

they also provide means `for gauging the rail and holding the same from shifting toward the spike. Since the lugs 24 are substantially flat and extend substantially parallel with the surface of the tie plate, it will be seen that these lugs are in compression or are adapted to be sub- J'ected to direct compressive forces as distin- Under these circumstances, the lugs have maximum strength and rigidity and are not likely to be bent or sheared. l

For transferring they outward thrust of the clamp I4 to the spike I5, I provide the clamp with a downwardly deflected or depending lug 26 which extends outwardly toward the opening I4a and whose free outer end engages the plain portion I5c of the ,spike The lug 2S may be formed by partially shearing a section of the clamp lying substantially opposite the opening Illa and deflecting such sheared portion so that the lug formed thereby extends downwardly and outwardly and so that the outer end of the lug extends parallel with or approaches the plane of the upper surface of the tie plate. The free end of the lug may be recessed as indicated at 2'I in Fig. 4 so as to conform to the shape of the spike and partially surround thesame. With the lug 26 formed and located as just described,

` it will engage the spike at a point close to the upper surface of the tie plate I2 and it will be seen that by reason of the outward thrust of the clamp being applied to the spike at this point, the spike will have maximum resistance to shear and bending,

In addition to serving as a means for transmitting the thrust of the clamp to the spike I5, the lug 26 also `forms a yieldable stop or indicator for limiting the deection of the clamp and the extent to which the spike is to be driven into the tie. Fig. 3 shows the clamp I4 in broken lines in its free or released condition at which time the lug 26 is some distance above the surface of the tie plate. When the spike is driven into the tie the later portion of its movement causes the clamp to be sprung or deflected from its broken line position to the full line position, at which time the lug 26 engages the surface of the tie gplate and offers additional resistance to further inward movement of the spike. This additional resistance informs the section hand that the spike has beenfully driven.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I show a rail fastening similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2 but using a tie plate 8U of a different form than the tie plate I2 above described. The tie plate 30 is identical with the plate I2 except that it does not have the upstanding rib I6 extending longitudinally along the base flange 3l of the rail 32. The clamp 33 and the spike 34 are identical with the clamp I4 and spike I5 described above and the ends of the clamp have bearing engagement on the rail flange and tie plate in the same manneras described above. The pair of spaced lugs 35 and the spike-engaging lug 36 are identical with the corresponding lugs 24 and 26 Aof the clamp I4. The lugs 36 extend substantially parallel to the tie plate in overlying relationto the openings 31 and their inner ends engage the edge of the rail flange y3l. These lugs form a gauging means or shoulder which serves to hold the rail against shifting toward the spike 34.

Although I have shown my rail clamp being used with two different forms of tie plates, it will be understood, of course, that Figs. 2 and 6 may represent opposite ends of the same tie plate, in which case one edge of the rail flange is gauged or located by the rib I and the opposite edge is gauged or located by the lugs 35 of the clamp 33.

From the foregoing description and the accom- Ipanying drawing it will now be readily understood that I have provided an improved rail fastening of the kind embodying a resilient clamp and itwill also be seen that the clamp is of a novel form and can be economically manufactured and quickly applied to railway rails. Additionally, it will beseen that my improved rail 4fastening is adaptable to different forms of tie plates which is an important factor in reducing the number of parts required to be carried in stock.

While I have illustrated and described my improved rail fastenings in a more or less detailed manner, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited to the particular details and arrangements herein disclosed but regard my invention as including all changes and modications coming within the scope of the appended claims and which do not constitute a departure kfrom the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A clamp for use in a rail fastening, comprising a single-thickness corrugated resilient metal plate having an upwardly bowed intermediate portion provided With an opening for a fastening member, said opening being located substantially on the central transverse axis of the plate, said plate having a portion adapted to extend over and engage a ange of the rail and a partially sheared portion forming an integral lug which extends laterally toward said opening for engagement with said fastening member and is located a substantial distance below the top of said upwardly bowed intermediate portion, said plate also having a pair of partially sheared portions located `on the rail side of said opening but extending in a direction away from the opening and lforming a pair of substantially matando;

atdixtegrelelgsz contiguous..zto.:.theaides;r ot said; plate and .sdaptedt engage.

I 2;.A-claniprfon'11se1n amil-fastening ing` alaingie-thicknesg` corrugated.. resilient .metall plate l'ia'ving upwardly. bowedintermediate' portion providedawitlr anwopening for faf.-fasten.. ingl member; zsaldopening-ibeing. located substantially fon*l the' central-1 transverse-` axis ofthe plate,

saidplatehaving.alportion adapted to extend?l overiandr Aengage:a-.Iilange':of the rail and a partiallyr` sheared-portion!forming an integral lug which extends'laterally' toward said openingy1 for engagement: with. said. fastening 'memberL Aandi isv locate'di a substantial' distance -bel'ow the topof said-upwardlybowed intermediatev portion, the' opening-spaced outwardlyifromitheedge of the.

rail'arrge andv asubstantally nat plain portion' extending'around andoutwardly of said opening, a `clamp comprising, a resilient metal plate hav-v ing endl portions@ bearingirespectively onjsaid railf-flange-and lon saidsubstantially fiat plain portion-fof-said tieplate and also-having in an.'

intermediate portion thereof. an opening located substantially'onA the central-transverse axis of the clamp and"I overlying the opening ofthe tie plate,

' and -afastening .member `extendingthrough the openings of-"theclamp yandv tiev plate lfor holding said clamp in flexedv condition-,said clamp Vhav ing. la ldependingportionon 4the rail side of `the fastening member which` extends downwardly and outwardly and 'engages the fastening member-atajpointy below the-body of said clamp and adjacent said fiat plain portion of said tie plate, the clamp also having a pair of spaced lugs located contiguous to the sides of the clamp and on the rail side of the fastening member and which extend inwardly-relative to the fastening member and engage the edge of the r'ail flange.

4. In a rail fastening, a tie, a tie plate adapted to receive a flanged rail thereon and having an opening spaced outwardly from the edge of the rail flange, a clampcomprising a single-thickness corrugated resilient metal plate having end portions bearing respectively on said rail flange and tie plate and also having an upwardly bowed intermediate portion provided-with an opening overlying the opening of the tie plate, and a headed fastening spike extending into' the tie through the openings of the clamp and tie plate and holding the clamp in flexed condition for clamping the rail against the tie plate, said clamp having a partially sheared portion forming an integral lug located on the rail side .of the spike and extendingv outwardly into engagement with the spike at a point'adjacent the surface of the tie-plate, the clamp also having a-pair of parwhich the-end 'on said..dernanding `portion:or the clampeisdrecessedcto; partially@ surround the: fastenngimemher. f`

: fir-.rn amenant-11mgfane. plate adapted: to. receive a'angednailthereonand: having an ulpstmding-.transversanb adaptedtobe engaged by theiedgeoftherailsflangepsaid tie-plate also-having antopenng spaced; outwardly:fromA said rib and av pair" of `openings. l interruptingsaid.'4 rib *at` spacedi peints; 'ar I .clampy comprising l a. .single-y thicknesszresili'entzmetal plate having end portions bearing respectively, on the rail fiange and,- tieplatez and havingan. upwardly: bowed .intermediate providedzwithxarr openingd located substantially-:on .the centraltransverse `axis-ofthe clampxandnverlying the first-mentioned opening of: the-tiezplate, asheadedfastening member extending 'throughthefclampfand-tieplate for holding the clampb inzfiexecl condition, said clamp having. spacedportions contiguous to the` sides thereof.' and forming.'lsi'zl'istantially flat lugsextending. away fromthe fastening member and across. the interrupted portions` of said. rib' into.

plate.- having an upwardly-.bowed- --intermediate [portion provided with anopening which overlies-'- the-opening: of saidsupport and is' located sub stantiallyzon the lcentral.'transverse axis oftheclamp, said clampalso havinginner and outer-- ends of which the innerV end has f a portion over'- lying and bearing upon said rail flange and the outer end bears on said substantially at plain portion of said support, a headed fastening mern- I ber engaging said upwardly bowed portion and extending through the openings of said support and clamp and causing the latter -toclamp-ingly hold said rail against said support, said inner side edge, said support having an opening therein at a pointbetween said side edge and said plain portion, a clamp comprising a resilient metal plate having an upwardly bowed intermediate portion provided with an opening which overlies the opening of said support and is located subextending through the openings of said support and clamp and causing the latter to clampingly hold said rail against said support, said inner end of the clamp having relatively depressed substantially ilat portions on opposite sides of said overlying portion and which engage said side edge of the rail flange so as to receive the lateralv the clamp engaging said fastening member at al point below said upwardly bowed portion. I

9. In a fastening for a rail having a base flange provided with a substantially vertical longitudinal side edge, a rail support adapted to receive said base flange thereon and having an upstanding transverse rib located to be engaged by said edge of the rail ange, said support also having an opening therein outwardly of said rib and a pair of openings interrupting said rib at spaced points and a substantially flat plain portion extending around the first mentioned opening and outwardly thereof, a clamp comprising a resilient metal plate having an upwardly bowed intermediate portion provided with an opening which overlies said rst mentioned opening and is located substantially on the central transverse axis of the clamp, said clamp also having inner and outer ends of which the inner end has a portion overlying and bearing upon said rail ilange and the outer end is substantially flat and has coextensive bearing engagement with said substantially flat plain portion of said support, a headed fastening member engaging said upwardly bowed portion and extending through the first mentioned and overlying openings of said support and clamp and causing the latter to clampingly hold said rail against said support, said inner end of the clamp having relatively depressed substantially flat portions on opposite sides of said overlying portion and extending substantially parallel with the upper surface of said support and across the interrupted portions of said rib into engagement with the vertical side edge of the rail ilange so as to receive the lateral'l thrust of the rail in direct compression.

l0. In a fastening for a rail having a basey ilange provided with a substantially vertical longitudinal side edge, a rail support adapted to receive said base flange thereon and having an upstanding transverse rib located to be engaged by said edge of the rail flange, said support also having an opening therein outwardly of saidv rib and a pair of' openings interrupting said rib at spaced points and a substantially flat plainA portion extending around the first mentioned opening and outwardly thereof, a clamp comprising a resilient metal plate having an upwardly bowed intermediate portion provided With an opening which overlies said first mentioned open-4 ing and is located substantially on the central transverse axis of the clamp, said clamp also hav ing inner and outer ends of which the inner endhas a port/ion overlying and bearing upon said rail ange and the outer end is substantially flat' i upwardly bowed portion and extendingthrough the rst mentioned and overlying openings of said support and clamp and causing the latter to clampingly hold said rail against said support,v

said inner end of the clamp having relatively depressed substantially flat portions lon opposite sides of said overlying portion and extending substantially parallel with the upper surface of said support and across the interrupted portions of said rib into engagement with the vertical side edge of the rail ange so as to receive the lateral thrust of the rail in direct compression, said clamp also having a relatively depressed portion lying on the rail side of and substantially opposite -said overlying opening of the clamp, the last mentioned portion of the clamp engaging said fastening member at a point below said upwardly bowed portion and adjacent the upper surface of said support.

JACOB RUSH SNYDER. 

